Artificial tree with hinged branches

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed an artificial tree which includes a number of artificial branches circumferentially arranged about a central trunk. Each artificial branch is hinged to the trunk of the tree, whereby the branches are capable of being swung between vertically erect and outwardly disposed, up-swept positions. Hinge means for the branches includes a collar fixed to the trunk and a number of pivotable branch receivers, each of which engages a single artificial branch so that the branch can move between its respective positions. Each branch receiver includes a face which contacts the trunk to determine the outward position of each branch.

United States Patent Mottel ARTIFICIAL TREE WITH HINGED BRANCHES Alan Mottel, Yonkers, NY.

Consolidated Novelty Co., Inc., Paterson, NJ.

Filed: Nov. 7, 1974 Appl. No.: 521,935

Inventor:

Assignee:

us. 428/9; 428/20; 029/1 A 1m. A476 33/08 Field of 161/14, 22-24; 029/1 A; 423/9, 20

4/l973 Baus et al. 161/24 4/l974 Cocjin l6l/24 Primary Examiner-William E. Schulz Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Gottlieb, Rackman, Reisman & Kirsch 57 ABSTRACT There is disclosed an artificial tree which includes a number of artificial branches circumferentially arranged about a central trunk. Each artificial branch is hinged to the trunk of the tree, whereby the branches are capable of being swung between vertically erect and outwardly disposed, up-swept positions. Hinge means for the branches includes a collar fixed to the trunk and a number of pivotable branch receivers, each of which engages a single artificial branch so that the branch can move between its respective positions. Each branch receiver includes a face which contacts the trunk to determine the outward position of each branch.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,928,689

US. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,928,689

ARTIFICIAL TREE WITH HINGED BRANCHES This invention relates to artificial Christmas trees and more specifically to such trees which include hinged branches.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an artificial Christmas tree including hinge means for joining artificial branches to the trunk of the tree and enabling such branches to swing between vertically erect and outstretched up-swept positions in a simple and easy-to-utilize manner.

In general, the present invention relates to an artific ial Christmas tree of a conventional type, including a central generally vertical elongated trunk, a stand supporting this trunk on a floor and a number of elongated branches at various levels on the trunk, radiating from the trunk. As is conventional, each branch is made up of a central stem and a number of twigs spreading outwardly from this stem. The stem and twigs are formed from twisted wire which captures lengths of a filament to imitate the twigs and branches of a natural tree. Such trees are generally of two types, one being a downswept tree with its branches bending generally downward from the tree trunk and an up-swept tree, with its branches radiating upwardly from the tree trunk.

It is therefore a more specific object of the present invention to provide an artificial Christmas tree of the up-swept branch type, including appropriate hinge means so that the tree will be relatively compact when stored in a container as for shipping purposes, but which will readily assume an inverted conical configuration when removed from the storage container. In this latter position, the tree is ready for display in a home during a holiday season.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a tree of the type mentioned is provided in cluding the usual elongated vertical trunk. A number of hinge means are provided at various levels along the tree trunk. The hinge means are generally identical, and each includes a collar intended to snugly fit about the tree'turnk. A number of branch receivers are situated circumferentially about the collar. Each branch receiver has a hollow elongated tube, which frictionally receives the interior end of the artificial branch. Each branch receiver is pivoted on the collar. To this end, the collar includes pairs of outwardly extending tabs, with a branch receiver being located between each such pair of tabs. A pivot pin passes through the tabs as well as through the branch receiver located between the tabs. This arrangement enables the branch receiver to rotate about a horizontal axis between generally upright and generally outstretched, upswept positions. The interior face of a branch receiver contacts the trunk so as to limit the outward swing of the particular artificial branch.

Further objects, features and advantages of my invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. I is an overall view of the artificial Christmas tree of the present invention. showing in solid lines the collapsed position of the tree and in dot and dash lines the open or extended position of the tree;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of a segment of the tree trunk, and two hinge units mounted on the tree trunk, with the hinge units being in their closed positions, holding the branches closed,

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken through the tree trunk and through a hinge unit, taken substantially along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front plan view similar to FIG. 2, but showing only a single hinge unit and showing a pair of opposed branch receivers in cross-section, the hinge unit being in its open position and holding the branches open and up-swept;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but taken along the line 55 of FIG. 4.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the present invention relates to an artificial Christmas tree 10 which includes an elongated generally vertical trunk 12, usually made of wood. The tree 10 is of the upswept branch type, and includes a number of generally similar artificial branches 14. Each branch is conventionally formed of twisted wire which comprises its stem, and plastic filaments captured by the twisted wire. Twigs 15, also formed of twisted wire, radiate from the stems.

As seen in FIG. 1 in solid lines, the tree 10 is capable of assuming a constricted or collapsed configuration and when it is in this shape, may be safely and economically placed in a container, such as a cardboard box, for purposes of shipment from a manufacturers facility to a retail store or for storage in the home of a consumer.

FIG. 1 also shows in dot and dash lines, the open or outstretched configuration of the tree in which it realistically imitates a natural tree. The tree in its out stretched position has an inverted frusto'conical overall shape, with the branches having an up-swept orientation.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 5, the Christmas tree trunk 12 is preferably an elongated rod of cylindrical configuration, on which is mounted hinge means comprising at least one, but preferably several hinge units 16. The hinge units are generally identical, but may vary in the number of branches which they support, all in accordance with any given desired tree configuration. Each hinge unit supports the interior ends 18 of the tree branches 14, see FIGS. 4 and 5. These interior ends 18 of the branches are formed of twisted wire, as are the remainders of the branch stems, and are desirably free of plastic filament.

Each hinge unit 16 includes a hollow cylindrical retainer sleeve 20 which fits about and frictionally engages the tree trunk at an appropriate location along its vertical length. The sleeve 20 is desirably formed 0t sheet metal and may be cut out at certain locations about its periphery, to accommodate and form other portions of the hinge unit. The hinge unit further includes pairs of radially extending parallel tabs 22a, 22b. Desirably, there are four pairs of tabs evenly spaced about each sleeve 20, but there may be as little as one pair of tabs on a sleeve and up to as many as eight pairs of tabs on a sleeve. Each pair of tabs is integral with the sleeve 20 to which it is fixed.

Also associated with each hinge unit 16 are a number of branch receivers 24, with one such receiver 24 being linked with each pair of tabs 22. Each receiver 24 comprises a somewhat elongated hollow member, having a tube portion 26 running along its length into which the interior end 18 of a branch 14 may frictionally fit so as to be retained therein.

Each pair of tabs 22 at a location distant from the trunk 12 carries a pivot pin 28. Each pin has a pair of opposed heads 30 by which it is retained in place, passing through a pair of tabs. Each branch receiver 24 has 3 a flattened segment 32 running along its length, which is joined to the hollow tube 26 of the branch receiver. This flattened segment 32 serves to strengthen the branch receiver 24 so that it can adequately support the branch 14 which it holds. Further, the flattened segment 32 of each branch receiver is located betweenthe tabs 22a, 22b, of a pair of tabs, and the pivot pin 28 passes through this segment. Hence, the segment 32 acts as a bearing surface acting against the interior, facing surfaces of a pair of tabs 22a, 22b, so that each branch receiver can be swung about its associated pivot pin 28 about a generally horizontal access. The flattened segment 32 of each branch receiver 24 faces interiorly of the hinge unit, toward the tree trunk 12. The pin 28 associated with each branch receiver 24 passes through the segment 32 along a line L, see FIG. 2, parallel to the receiver and inwardly of its centerline, thereby providing a generally horizontal axis of rotation. By this construction, the branch receivers 24 and the branches 14 are weighted so that they tend to rotate outwardly, in the direction D, from a generally vertical upright position (FIGS. 2 and 3) to an outstretched, up-swept position (FIGS. 4 and 5).

As further seen in FIG. 2, one sleeve may be 45 offset with respect to its next adjacent sleeve 20'. This prevents the branches from being in columns" along the side of the tree, which would given the tree an unnatural look.

In a desired embodiment, the sleeve 20 is formed of three generally identical components, 20a, 20b and 200, see FIG. 5. Each such component has a central curved span 21, which is flanked by tabs 22b, 22a. The components are joined by the pins 28, so as to frictionally engage the tree trunk.

Each branch receiver 24 has its interior end 36 formed as a sloping shoulder or face, so that as each branch receiver continues to pivot outwardly, its interior end 36 comes into contact with an aligned portion of the tree trunk. When such contact takes place, it serves as a'stop to limit the outward extent of movement of the branch receivers. The open or extended position of the branch receivers, as well as the artificial branches, are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein it will be seen that the branches have assumed an up-swept configuration.

In use, the operation of the artificial tree with its hinged limbs is quite simple. The sleeves are premounted on the trunk, and the artificial branches are situated in the branch receivers. The tree will usually be received fully assembled in a cardboard container. Alternatively, the branches may be packed loosely in the container, and the customer will be required to place the interior ends of the branches into the branch receivers.

When the tree is taken out of the container, each branch receiver, by virtue of gravity, swings from its generally vertical position to its outstretched, up-swept position. The desired configuration is given to the tree by the lengths of the artificial branches, which may vary at different levels on the trunk, and the angle of each branch, in its outstretched position, is determined by the contact between the interior end 36 of each branch receiver and the trunk 12. The outward swinging action is practically automatic, due to the weight distribution of each branch receiver and branch with respect to its pivot, as described earlier. If, however, the branches catch on one another, the branches need to be pushed only gently downwardly in order to assume their final, outstretched positions.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it is to be understood that this embodiment is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. An artificial tree including a central cylindrical trunk and a number of branches circumferentially disposed about the trunk, hinge means for joining the branches to the trunk for movement about generally horizontal axes between vertically erect positions and outstretched, up-swept positions, the hinge means including a retaining sleeve fixed to the trunk, elongated tubular, hollow branch receivers for receiving the interior end of a branch, the hinge means further including pairs of parallel tabs circumferentially spaced about the retaining sleeve, the interior portion of each branch receiver being situated between a pair of tabs, pivot means for rotatably mounting the branch receivers on the retaining member, the pivot means including a pin passing through each pair of tabs and through the interior portion of the branch receiver, and providing axes of rotation passing through the branch receivers, the axes being offset interiorly from the centerlines of the branch receivers so the branch receivers with their branches will tend to rotate by the force of gravity from the erect positions to the up-swept positions, and stop means for limiting the outward movement of the branches as they reach their up-swept positions, said stop means comprising the interior faces of the tubular, hollow branch receivers being in alignment with and coming into contact substantially along a line described by a closed figure, with the exterior of the cylindrical central trunk. 

1. AN ARTIFICIAL TREE INCLUDING A CENTRAL CYLINDRICAL TRUNK AND A NUMBER OF BRANCHES CIRCUMFERENTIALLY DISPOSED ABOUT THE TRUNK, HINGE MEANS FOR JOINING THE BARNCHES TO THE TRUNK FOR MOVEMENT ABOUT GENERALLY HORIZONTAL AXES BETWEEN VERTICALLY ERECT POSITIONS AND OUTSTRECHED, UP-SWEPT POSITIONS, THE HINGE MEANS INCLUDING A RTAINING SLEEVE FIXED TO THE TRUNK, ELONGATED TUBULAR, HOLLOW BRANCH RECEIVERS FOR RECEIVING THE INTERIOR END OF A BRANCH, THE HINGEE MEANS FURTHER INCLUDING PAIRS OF PARALLEL TABS CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED ABOUT THE RETAINING SLEEVE, THE INTERIOR PORTIONS OF EACH BRANCH RECEIVER BEING SITUATED BETWEEN A PAIR HOF TABS, PIVOT MEANS FOR ROTATABLY MOUNTING THE BRANCH RECEIVERS ON THE RETAINING MEMBER, THE PIVOT MEANS INCLUDING A PIN PASSING THROUGH EACH PAIR OF TABS AND THROUGH THE INTERIOR PORTION OF THEBRANCH RECEIVER, AND PROVIDING AXES OF ROTATION PASSING THE BRANCH RECEIVERS, THE AXES BEING OFFSET INTERIORLY FROM THE CENTERLINES OF THE BRANCH RECEIVERS SO THE BRANCH RECEIVERS WITH THEIR BRANCHES WILL TEND TO ROTATE BY THE FORCE OF GRAVITY FROM THE ERECT POSITIONS TO THE UP-SWEPT POSITIONS, AND STOP MEANS FOR LIMITING THE OUTWARD MOVEMENT OF THE BRANCHES AS THEY REACH THEIR UPSWEPT POSITIONS, SAID STOP MEANS COMPRISING THE INTERIOR FACES OF THE TUBULAR, HOLLOW BRANCH RECEIVERS BEING IN ALIGMENT WITH AND COMING INTO CONTACT SUBSTANTIALLY ALONG THE LINE DESCRIBED BY A CLOSED FIGURE, WITH THE EXTERIOR OF THE CYLINDRICAL CENTRAL TRUNK. 